Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Birth Injury Attorneys Advocating for Children and Parents in Baltimore

If you believe that your child has developed hemiplegic cerebral palsy due to medical malpractice, you should consult an attorney to find out if you may have a claim. We can assist you in determining the cause of an injury that resulted in your child's hemiplegic cerebral palsy, and you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At Arfaa Law Group, our skilled Baltimore cerebral palsy lawyers can analyze the facts of your case and determine the merits of your claim. We understand that dealing with the consequences of a birth injury can be very stressful, but you can expect steady and vigorous advocacy from us throughout the legal process.

Pursuing a Claim Arising from Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Unfortunately, child hemiplegia is a relatively common condition affecting up to one child in 1,000. Hemiplegia in infants and children is a type of cerebral palsy that results from damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. This damage may take place before, during, or shortly after birth. Hemiplegic cerebral palsy is a severe form of the disorder that involves total paralysis on one vertical side of the body. In children with the condition, the paralysis in the body occurs on the side opposite the affected part of the brain. As a result, children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy are unable to use the affected side of the body at all, including the arm, leg, foot, shoulder, and hand.

Mistakes made before, during, or shortly after delivery can cause oxygen loss to an infant's brain or injuries to the nerves surrounding the infant's shoulder and result in hemiplegic cerebral palsy. For example, a traumatic brain injury can lead to swelling, hemorrhaging, and elevated bilirubin levels that can contribute to the development of cerebral palsy. Another example would be if a baby suffers from vasculitis, which causes inflammation of major blood vessels and leads to swelling inside the brain, affecting areas responsible for motor function and balance.

A Maryland medical malpractice lawsuit is a civil claim that intends to hold medical professionals accountable for their negligent conduct. To succeed on a medical malpractice claim, the plaintiff's lawyer must show the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence:

The physician or other medical professional owed the patient a duty of care;

The defendant breached the duty of care owed to the patient; and

The defendant's breach was a direct and proximate cause of the patient's hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Moreover, treatment costs for the condition can be extremely high. Maryland law allows victims of malpractice to recover damages such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medication costs, and more. In some cases, your child may be able to attend a traditional school, but they may need extra help or specialized classes to handle their needs. We can examine the facts of your case and help you recover any out-of-pocket costs that you require.

In Maryland, a medical malpractice claim is required to go through a mandatory arbitration process before it can be formally filed in court. The plaintiff in a medical malpractice lawsuit must file the claim with a Certificate of Qualified Expert and a Report. A physician must review the facts of the case and "certify" that the plaintiff's doctor or any other medical professional in question deviated from the accepted standard of care.

Hemiplegic cerebral palsy can result in serious and long-term harm to a child. If your child has been diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, you need to speak to a medical malpractice lawyer without delay. At Arfaa Law Group, our Baltimore attorneys can help you secure the compensation that you deserve. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns. To contact us for a free review of your potential case, do not hesitate to call 410-889-1850 or contact us online.